Disco de Cher: “All I Really Want to Do/The Sonny Side of Cher [Beat Goes On]”

"The Sonny Side of Cher" was the best of her early solo albums, indeed, her best album next to "Stars". Sonny Bono really knew what kind of a singer he was working with. Sonny utilized the legendary New Orleans musician, Harold Battiste and the talents of musicians that although, not the Motown Funk Brothers, were top notch, incredible musicians where the rhythm section "smoked"! In hindsight it seems so surprising to hear where these songs came from: Edith Piaf!!!(Milord), the 1927 musical production "Showboat" by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein (Old Man River), Antonio Carlos Jobim (The Girl From Ipanema), Tom Jones!!!(It's Not Unusual, one of my favorites), Ruby & The Romantics (Our Day Will Come-another fave), just what was Sonny thinking?! Even "world music" influences (Bang, Bang) and somehow it all works, I don't know how or if any contemporary artist could manage an album like this, male or female. No record company would EVER ok an album that had this kind of range and I'm not sure what that says about this album and the current state of music but I know I will treasure it for what it is, my hats off to both Sonny (as producer) and, of course, Cher(still going strong, who knew?). An album of it's time, indeed.

"All I Really Want To Do", released in 1965, was Cher's first solo album and it contains some gems: "I Go To Sleep", "Dream Baby" (heavily influenced by Phil Spector, who Sonny worked with), "Cry Myself to Sleep". I VERY much appreciate Sonny's acknowledgement of the musicians who played on the album by listing them. I don't believe that was common practice in 1965 but it was informative to know people like Julius Wechter, Mike Rubini, Lyle Ritz and Gene Estes, among others, were the wonderful players. Cher recorded this album at the legendary Gold Star Studios in Hollywood. An essential CD that documents the beginnings of the recording career of the one-of-a-kind Cher.

I have recently been tring to collect all of Cher's original Albums on CD (the ones that are available) and I was so excited to see that her very first were finally released as imports because they are some of her best. Her voice seemed quite diffrent back then which makes it so much more interesting, Cher is a true legend with great longevity (New studio album this year and stint @ Ceasers Palace in Vegas). I was also super excited about the original artwork and liner notes! Its a wonderful that we can have these classics in their original form. The only complaint is the remastering, it may just be me but the music drowns Cher out in a few songs from the first LP. I dont know if its falty remastering or the way the songs was meant to sound. Overall though I am most satisfied as the CD comes in a slipcase to protect the actual CD case. No Cher fan's catalog of CD's should be complete until you have these very first solo albums in your collection!

Some standout tracks are of course the timeless "All I really want to do" which she also sang so well on her Farewell Tour, it is GREAT GREAT GREAT! "I go to Sleep" and "The Bells of Rhymney". "See See Rider" and "Blowin in the Wind" are also great. From the second LP I particularly liked "The Girl from Ipanema" & "Elusive Butterfly" & "Where Do You Go" and of course the Classic "Bang Bang" which was Cher's biggest solo hit of the 60's peaking at # 2. I still cannot decide if I prefer this version of the song or her version that she rerecorded for her 1987 self titled album. At any rate it is wonderful to have both of these classic albums in their orignal version so that true fans can finally be introduced to the music that started it all for the Legend!!!

I can't believe this collection has came out, this is Cher at her best. I can't wait to buy it.